Introduction to Meditation
Location: Quietude, 1130 Montreat Rd, Black Mountain, NC
Date/Time: Mon, 03/25, 04/29, 05/27 7:00pm - 8:30pm
Introduction to Meditation Series
Whether you're new to meditation or looking to deepen your existing practice, please join our upcoming meditation series. Our experienced instructors will guide you through a variety of techniques and practices, helping you cultivate mindfulness, reduce stress, and enhance your overall well-being. This is also great opportunity to connect with a kind, supportive community.
March 25: What is meditation and what are some of the benefits (Scott, Andrea & Lisa)
April 29: Creating a solid physical foundation for both stillness & movement practices: sitting, lying down, standing & walking (Scott, Andrea & Lisa).
May 27: Exploring a few types meditation practices: concentration, grounding, movement, mindfulness, loving kindness, and energy.(Scott & Andrea).
Teachers
Scott MacGregor
Scott is a licensed clinical therapist and stress reduction educator with over twenty years of meditation practice including retreats for mindfulness, meditation in medicine and research, insight meditation, and spiritual reflection. His MBSR certification (https://www.ashevillemindfulliving.com/) is through Brown University and he has participated in professional training under the direction of Dr. Jon Kabat-Zinn at UMASS Medical School's Center for Mindfulness. He is also trained in the Mindful Schools curriculum. He teaches mindfulness at the Asheville & Charlotte Fire Departments, UNC School of Medicine ~ Asheville Campus, and the VA Medical Center's Integrative Pain Management Clinic.
Andrea Currens
Andrea, a practicing Obstetrician and Gynecologist for 23 years, began a deep
exploration into mindfulness in 2015 in hopes of helping prevent burnout in healthcare
providers. She ended up reaping vast benefits from her own practice when meeting personal and professional challenges and became even more motivated to offer the teachings to others. She is trained in the Mindful Practice Curriculum for healthcare providers and has significant experience with MBSR (Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction). She completed the MMTCP (Mindfulness Meditation Teacher Certification Program) in 2023. She currently teaches mindfulness to medical students, medical residents, and computer tech companies.
Lisa Varno
Lisa’s contemplative practice began during her childhood days of observing nature’s beauty during long car rides. She later explored the contemplative Quaker tradition and has experienced silent retreats at SSJE, an Episcopal monastery in Cambridge, MA and Karma Choling, a Shambala Buddhist Center in Barnet, VT. Lisa transitioned from public school teaching to offer music, yoga, and meditation classes on Martha’s Vineyard. In Vermont, she created a Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction curriculum for participants at Confluence Behavioral Health, a wilderness therapy retreat center in Thetford, VT. In addition to receiving MBSR training at UMASS Medical School & Brown University, Lisa is an Integrative Health Coach Trained at Duke Integrative Medicine and offers Integrative Health Coaching in Asheville, NC, where she is currently based.
Dana
Access to community and wisdom should be available to everyone, so all sangha events are offered for free. Following ancient Buddhist practice, we collect danā. Danā is a Pali word that denotes a special kind of giving. It means “generosity” or “giving freely”, a mutual exchange of generosity and abundance. It develops lovingkindness and compassion, deepens awareness of our interconnectedness and encourages non-attachment. If you feel moved to do so and are able to make a contribution, there will be a donation box at this event. Donations will go to support our valued teacher. Any amount is welcome. (One suggested amount is $15.)
Location
Quietude is a micro-retreat center dedicated to the cultivation of mindfulness and the inner life. It provides a container for awareness, introspection, and personal development. Quietude is rooted in the understanding that we all benefit from periodically taking time out from our day-to-day routines and responsibilities.